A happy ending is finally in sight for long-suffering residents after councillors voted to back a redevelopment scheme at the troubled Bedfont Pits site.

The area of neglected scrubland alongside Bedfont Industrial Estate has been plagued by illegal motor-bike scrambling and other anti-social behaviour for over a decade.

But delighted residents finally have something to celebrate as planning chiefs chose to support a new project that will completely transform the whole area.

Ann Towers has lived on Kendall Close for 14 years and is a member of the Westmacott Residents' Association.

he said: "We're absolutely over the moon. It's been completely lawless down there for years and the noise of the bikes is unbelievable.

"I only hope this doesn't fall through because we've already been let down so many times and it's heart breaking. The day the diggers actually move in we'll put up flags and bunting."

The redevlopment plan centres around the desire of Chrisfys devlopers to completely remodel the Bedfont Trading Estate. In exchange for planning permission they have offered to tackle the entire surrounding area including the Pits.

The future of the scheme looked uncertain earlier this year as councillors repeatedly pressed the developers to cough up more cash for the community before agreeing to their plans.

And they have currently offered their support only if the developer provides over £2.9million to landscape and secure the various sites and to support traffic measures, training and community facilities in the local area.

The figure is over £600,000 above the developer's original offer but Chrisfys director William Woodward-Fisher says he still hopes to go ahead with the scheme.

"It's a lot more money," he added. "But I'm doing my sums and hopefully we should be able to manage it as long as property prices stay high."

The future of the area is not yet completely assured but residents and local groups are already queueing up to take advantage of the newly available green space.

Doug White, of Bedfont Green Football Club, said: "We've been working with developers and are particluarly keen to get some pitch space. In place of the dirt biking it would be great to offer something really positive for seven to 17 year olds to do in their free time."